The girls would be glad to have him there, but nothing that either of them could, with propriety, be prompted to say, would draw him into such extravagant self-gratification.

But if she were at Barport, she knew that she could send him such an invitation, or sound such a call to him, that he would be sure to come.
Accordingly Miss Panney determined to go to Barport without loss of time; and although she did hot know what sort of summons she should issue to Ralph after she got there, she did not in the least doubt that circumstances would indicate the right thing to do.

In fact, she would arrange circumstances in such a way that they should so indicate.
Having arrived at this conclusion, Miss Panney finished eating her sandwich with an earnestness and rapidity which convinced the astonished girl at the counter that she had all the teeth she needed to bite with; and then she went forth to convince other people of the same thing.

On the sidewalk she met Phoebe.
"How d'ye do, Miss Panney ?" said that single-minded colored woman.

"I hain't seen you for a long time." Miss Panney returned the salutation, and stood for a moment in thought.
"Phoebe," said she, "when did you last see Mike ?" "Well, now, really, Miss Panney, I can't say, but it's been a mighty long time.